| You've read all the "best digital camera" articles, got | | | | pictures... |
| the best price on your first digital camera, and even | | | | 1) Wide Angle |
| glanced at its owner's manual. Are you itching to take | | | | You will tend to use the wide angle more often than |
| some shots of your family, or what? | | | | your telephoto setting. Pay particular attention to |
| Slow down, soldier. Before you take 200 shots that | | | | your "end people" (those farthest to the right and |
| seem great at the time, but then upon review of the | | | | the left in your viewfinder), and verify there is |
| final picture are less than what you expected, let's | | | | enough space in picture, so that if cropping is |
| prepare. Prepare?!?! I'll bet you thought charging the | | | | required, the end people don't have to lose a limb. |
| battery was the hardest part of taking great photos, | | | | 2) The Flash |
| didn't you? Sorry to disappoint you, but if you want | | | | Flash considerations are critical. Do not be outside |
| to improve your photo results 50% in 2 minutes, let's | | | | your "flash range." For example, if at ISO 100, your |
| review some basic advice of the pros. | | | | flash can properly illuminate 12 feet, don't attempt |
| There are two categories of GENERAL ADVICE | | | | any photography pose that requires anyone to stand |
| which applies, regardless of whether you're using a | | | | at 14 feet (unless, of course, it's evil cousin Ira who |
| digital camera to take family portrait poses, baby | | | | you want to appear in darkness). |
| pictures, pet portraits, group pictures, funny photos, | | | | 3) Plan "B" |
| or even maternity portraits. The first category is... | | | | If you need to be further away than your flash |
| "Good Planning" Advice for Photography Poses | | | | allows, here are 2 things you can try...First, increase |
| 1) Prepare For The Event | | | | the ISO setting (but not so much as to produce to |
| Prepare for the event by thinking about every | | | | much noise), or second, move to a significantly |
| photograph you want to take and what kind of | | | | brighter location. |
| photography pose or poses you would like to | | | | 4) Watch Your Background |
| capture. Consider who, where, how, and the type of | | | | If there are distracting features, change your |
| environment. | | | | settings to blur the background (see the Techniques |
| 2) Take Multiple Photographs | | | | page). The best photography pose in the world won't |
| Take multiple shots of each pose (remember, digital | | | | look right with a distracting background. And finally... |
| memory is reusable, a.k.a. "free"). Regardless of what | | | | 5) Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall |
| you say or do, people will blink. And don't count on | | | | If there are mirrors or reflective surfaces in the |
| spotting small problems on the tiny camera LCD | | | | background and you can't find a different location, |
| screen (even on full magnification); which leads to... | | | | only take the picture in such a way that the flash is |
| 3) Check LCD Screen | | | | not perpendicularto the surface, but at an angle |
| Check the digital camera's LCD screen for general | | | | (unless you want a nice photo of your flash). |
| framing of the picture, any movement, visibility of | | | | Outdoor family photography has completely different |
| faces, and the histogram. Note that you can think up | | | | issues. For OUTDOOR photography... |
| a fantastic photography pose; arrange everyone | | | | 6) The Sun |
| perfectly; and, have the photograph "frozen" (no | | | | Avoid photographing in direct sunlight, or in mixed light |
| blinking, and no shaking of the camera)...but, when | | | | and shade, especially faces. Optimal lighting results |
| you check it out in the LCD, you see 2 drunks | | | | from a slightly overcast sky. |
| fighting in the background! And, my favorite... | | | | 7) Shade |
| 4) Funny Phrases | | | | When photographing in shade, use fill-flash (see |
| Have some funny phrases handy to use just before | | | | terms) when necessary. And, really finally... |
| you take the photo. Don't use it when setting up for | | | | 8) Beauty |
| the shot. And, don't use the same phrase all the time. | | | | If practical, take the picture at one of the beautiful |
| Throw in funny anecdotes, phrases, names, words | | | | natural settings near you. Imagine the result of a |
| that you know your family will find more amusing | | | | creative photography pose captured in a stunning |
| than "cheese." A natural smile looks four times better | | | | environment. Can you say: "Over the mantle!"? |
| than a fake one. The second category is... | | | | To see some sample pictures including more |
| "Location" Advice for Photography Poses | | | | photography tips, go to |
| Taking indoor family photography, is very different | | | | Copyright 2005 Robert Bezman. All rights reserved. |
| than outdoor family photograph (duh!). For INDOOR | | | | |